House, Senate differ on handling vaccine mandates, health emergency
Indiana House and Senate Republican leaders appear to be at odds on how to handle legislation to address employer vaccine mandates and end the state’s public health emergency.
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House Republicans unveil $1B tax cut plan; other GOP leaders are more reluctant
The plan proposes lowering or eliminating four separate taxes on sales, business personal property, individual income and utility receipts.
Business tax cuts top Holcomb’s 2022 agenda
Reducing the business tax on equipment and modernizing tax incentives to attract more businesses to Indiana are among the top items on Gov. Eric Holcomb’s 2022 “Next Level Agenda,” which he announced Monday afternoon.
Indianapolis City-County Council member announces Indiana House run
Michael-Paul Hart hopes to represent District 89, which covers part of east Indianapolis and includes about half of Beech Grove.
Lilly resumes political contributions to Republicans who voted against certifying election
The pharmaceutical giant has quietly returned to making political contributions to 14 Republican lawmakers who voted against certifying the 2020 election results, according to a report issued Monday by watchdog group Accountable.US.
2021 Year in Review: Vaccination rollout starts with huge demand, then hits wall
By Christmas, nearly 63% of adult Hoosiers had been vaccinated, with 36% of adults having received a booster shot. But among all Hoosiers eligible (including children 5 years and older), only about 52% of the state’s population over the age of 5 had been fully vaccinated, putting Indiana near the bottom among states.
2021 Year in Review: GOP splinters over emergency powers law
A family feud broke out among Indiana Republicans this year when Gov. Eric Holcomb sued the Indiana General Assembly’s legislative leaders in his own party. He did so to challenge the constitutionality of a new law that weakens his emergency powers and was enacted by fellow Republicans over the governor’s veto.
Holcomb ‘stunned’ by Rokita’s suggestion that pandemic stats are inflated
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb slammed Attorney General Todd Rokita for comments he made in an interview this month suggesting the state is inflating its COVID-19 numbers.
Biden signs $768.2B defense spending bill into law
The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes a 5% increase in military spending, and is the product of intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over issues ranging from reforms of the military justice system to COVID-19 vaccine requirements for soldiers.
Anger over mask mandates, other COVID rules, spurs states to curb power of public health officials
At least 19 states, including Indiana, have this year restricted state or local authorities from safeguarding public health amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Indiana House Republican to file sweeping marijuana legalization bill
Rep. Cindy Ziemke, R-Batesville, acknowledges that it will be difficult to persuade reluctant Republican legislative leaders to give the bill a chance. However, some political observers believe Ziemke’s interest in the issue could at least open the conversation in the GOP-dominated Legislature.
New lawsuit could further snarl-delayed Terre Haute casino plans
One of the companies that was pass over for the license, Las Vegas-based Full House Resorts, has sued the Indiana Gaming Commission, claiming it didn’t follow state law when it picked Churchill Downs to develop the casino.
Biden will try to rally exhausted Americans against omicron threat
In a speech Tuesday, Biden will outline plans to expand coronavirus testing sites across the country, distribute a half-billion free at-home tests and deploy more federal health resources to aid strained hospitals, including emergency teams bound for Indiana.
Manchin’s ‘no’ vote on Build Back Better bill undercuts Biden’s climate agenda
The senator, who had been the chief Democratic obstacle to the White House’s sweeping policy initiative for nearly six months, said he could not support the bill because of his concerns about inflation, the growing deficit and the need to focus on the omicron coronavirus variant.
Lawmakers, business leaders begin to raise alarms about dwindling federal aid, as omicron cases rise across U.S.
Over nearly two years, Congress has committed nearly $6 trillion toward combating the virus and boosting the economy, but some of the most significant programs to keep businesses afloat and help households pay bills have expired or run out of funds.
Indiana National Guard chief promoted to major general
Lyles, who assumed command of the Indiana National Guard in October 2019, leads a force of about 13,500 troops.
Indianapolis-area state senators target criminal justice system with new bills
Republican legislators on Thursday introduced a spate of new bills targeting the criminal justice system in the Indianapolis area and across Indiana.
Poll backs lawmakers’ moves to restrict employer vaccine mandates
The survey of 576 adult Hoosiers by the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University shows that while 30% support employer vaccine mandates, 40% want employers only to encourage vaccines. Another 28% don’t want employers to encourage or require the shots.
Governor taps his former speech writer to lead White River State Park
Jake Oakman, who has a history in tourism and Republican state politics, has been appointed executive director for the White River State Park Development Commission by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Biden, Manchin said to be sharply divided over $2T Dem social bill
The rocky status of their talks, described only on condition of anonymity by a person familiar with the talks, was among several indications that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer faces a struggle to even begin debate on the massive measure before Christmas.